TODAY IS THE DAY....

I have the bike.
I have the helmet.
I have the basket to hold me 'stuff'.

Now I am ready.  To go on my first 'proper' bike ride in over 28 years!

Last time I rode a bike was when we lived in Te Awamutu, before Mike was born!

I used to ride most mornings, until I kept getting harassed by dogs.  That stopped me riding.  Nothing worse than having dogs try to bite you when you are riding a bike eh?

So, hopefully there are NO DOGS where I'm going riding!  That would really piss me off!

Where am I going?

ABOVE: Here.  It's a cycle path that goes all the way to Lake Karapiro.
I am going to drive to Leamington (outer suburb of Cambridge) then ride from there along the path.  It's dead flat all the way, and super safe.  
Safety is important to me... no way am I ever going to ride on the road with cars!

I have no idea how long or far I will manage to go!  But, no matter how far, it will be a start.

Once I get back to my car, I will drive the distance I rode, so I know how far I went.

So, wish me luck... and fingers crossed I don't fall off and break something!  

On a different note, Kelly and Gordon had a flood in their house, and so I asked them to take before and after photos of the damage:

ABOVE:  There was damage done to the laundry, bathroom, toilet, and three bedrooms.
It took a while to get it all ripped out/up and replaced.
Yesteday the carpet finally got laid, and they could put all the furniture back in the bedrooms.

ABOVE:  Rena in the lounge before all the furniture went back!  The family had been sleeping in the lounge while the floors were being replaced.
I bet they are all thrilled to bits to finally have their home repaired!

ONWARD...

Well... I. DID. IT!

I got on that bike and I rode.  It was a foggy morning, so PERFECT for riding.  Not too hot.
Unlike now (10 am) and the fog has been burnt off and it's stinking hot again.

ABOVE:  Thanks Lynda, I did indeed use Map My Run to chart how far I went today.  I will do that every time from now on.

I was surprised just how far I did go!  I fully expected to only get about 500 meters up the road before turning around.

My butt isn't going to forgive me in a hurry though.  I could have gone so much further if it hadn't been so bloody uncomfortable.  I will have to get a BIGGER seat!  


ABOVE: Look at that!  I even managed to get a little video of me on the bike, 'proof' if you will.

Now... I'm off to get the washing out... 

OH!  I forgot to say:

I DIDN'T FALL OFF!  Yaaaaaa.  *smiles*

The rest of my day was uneventful.  My butt is still sore, so tomorrow I might investigate a new, more 'generous' seat ... as well as having the gel cover.

Time to sign off for the day.  Stinkin' hot evening here.